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Padres signed C A.J. Ellis to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Ellis is familiar with the NL West, as he spent the first eight-plus years of his career with the Dodgers, most of them as their starting catcher. He was the backup catcher in Miami last season and struggled to a .210/.298/.371 batting line with six homers in his 51 games. Recent reports indicate that San Diego wants Luis Torrens to spend most of the year in the minor leagues, so Ellis will battle Rocky Gale for the right to back up Austin Hedges leading into 2018. Feb 14 - 10:50 PM

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Rockies have discussed A.J. Ellis with the Marlins.

He's also been connected to the Cubs, who are looking for a backup to take some of the pressure off Willson Contreras. Ellis has played sparingly behind J.T. Realmuto this season, logging just 82 at-bats over 27 appearances. He hasn't hit much either, slashing .232/.300/.341 with two homers and five RBI. With that said, the 36-year-old is a well-respected teammate who calls a good game behind the plate. His contract is up after this season. Sat, Jul 29, 2017 09:58:00 PM

MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that A.J. Ellis "could be a possible fit" for the Cubs.

The Cubs evidently aren't as interested in Alex Avila as previously suggested, preferring to add a defense-first backstop. Ellis would fit the bill in that regard. The 36-year-old is an impending free agent. Fri, Jul 28, 2017 01:00:00 PM

Depth Charts

Cory Spangenberg went 3-for-3 and cracked a solo home run in Friday's Cactus League win over the White Sox.

He singled twice in the game while serving as the second baseman and leadoff batter. He followed a Matt Szczur solo shot with one of his own off starter Carson Fulmer in the third inning. Spangenberg started 86 games at third base for the Padres last year, and also played some second base and outfield. He is battling for the starting second base job this spring and is likely to play all over the diamond again this year.

Alex Dickerson has opted to rehab the sprained UCL in his left elbow, avoiding season-ending Tommy John surgery.

That's the plan, at least, but if the rehab doesn't take, Dickerson will still probably require the surgery. Either way, he's out for at least the first month of the regular season and maybe longer. It's a bad beat for the 27-year-old, who missed the entire 2017 season due to back issues.

Rea suffered a lat strain in early March and Padres manager Andy Green said there's no timetable for him to start throwing again. It's some tough luck for the 27-year-old, who missed the entire 2017 season following Tommy John surgery.

Jose Torres was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage, and intimidation after a domestic violence arrest in Phoenix in December.

According to the probable cause statement contained in the court report, Torres allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim and also knocked a door off its hinges and punched a hole in another door. He has a pre-trial conference scheduled for February 20, after which more should be known about a timeline for his legal issues. He also has another case pending regarding marijuana violation and a drug paraphernalia possession/use citation from December. The Padres placed Torres on the restricted list on Monday and he obviously won't be pitching for them anytime soon. He could face a suspension from MLB even if he isn't convicted.

Carter Capps (thoracic outlet) will make his Cactus League debut Sunday.

Capps got a late start this spring after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery over the offseason. The reliever's stuff was down last season after he made it back from Tommy John surgery and now he has another operation to return from.